Archaeopteryx

Researchers in Germany have unearthed a new species of flying dinosaur that flapped its wings like a raven and could hold vital clues as to how modern-day birds evolved from their reptilian ancestors.

In 1861, German paleontologist Christian Erich Hermann von Meyer wrote a short paper about a fossil so unusual he first thought it was a fake. What appeared to be a bird feather was pressed into 150-million-year-old limestone. Von Meyer labeled it Archaeopteryx, meaning old wing, and a full skeleton was found shortly thereafter.

A new study of a 125-million-year-old wing of a primitive bird has revealed that some of the most ancient birds were capable of performing aerodynamic feats in a manner similar to many birds existing now.

Scientists have unearthed a spectacularly preserved, nearly complete fossil in northeastern China of a feathered dinosaur with wings like those of a bird, although they doubt the strange creature could fly.

Since its first fossil was unearthed in Bavarian limestone in 1961, Archaeopteryx - the original early bird - has been a paleontological rock star.

Researchers in Germany have unearthed a new species of flying dinosaur that flapped its wings like a raven and could hold vital clues as to how modern-day birds evolved from their reptilian ancestors.

In 1861, German paleontologist Christian Erich Hermann von Meyer wrote a short paper about a fossil so unusual he first thought it was a fake. What appeared to be a bird feather was pressed into 150-million-year-old limestone. Von Meyer labeled it Archaeopteryx, meaning old wing, and a full skeleton was found shortly thereafter.

A new study of a 125-million-year-old wing of a primitive bird has revealed that some of the most ancient birds were capable of performing aerodynamic feats in a manner similar to many birds existing now.

Scientists have unearthed a spectacularly preserved, nearly complete fossil in northeastern China of a feathered dinosaur with wings like those of a bird, although they doubt the strange creature could fly.

Since its first fossil was unearthed in Bavarian limestone in 1961, Archaeopteryx - the original early bird - has been a paleontological rock star.